Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reiterated his administration’s determination to secure lives and property across the state, vowing that criminal elements, including kidnappers, will find no refuge anywhere in Kwara.
The governor made the declaration following a high-level State Security Council meeting in Ilorin.
In response to a recent attack in Oke Ode, Governor AbdulRazaq said he immediately briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and renewed his call for increased federal deployment to target criminal hideouts across the state.
“The Army Headquarters has since relocated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen security operations in the state,” he said.
He disclosed that a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and the Police took place on Monday night at Baba Sango, along the Kwara–Kogi border.
According to the governor, the offensive resulted in the neutralisation of about 15 armed bandits. He added that the operation continued on Tuesday.
“And yesterday night, I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South,” he stated.
Governor AbdulRazaq assured residents that his government remains committed to providing all necessary support to security agencies in the fight against criminality.
“I have assurances of the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts. We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals,” he said.
He issued a stern warning to those attempting to disrupt peace in the state: “To any criminal who seeks to destabilise the peace in Kwara, you may run, but you cannot escape justice. Kwara belongs to its people, and their peace will be defended.”
